JP3133451B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is a leaving such as a magneto-optical disk
About images forming apparatus using a dressed storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus, when an interrupt copy request is made, data such as current copy conditions and progress status in a semiconductor memory is saved in another area in the semiconductor memory, and interrupt copy is performed. At the end, the original copy operation was restarted based on the saved data.

When an error such as a jam occurs, for example, when the jammed paper is removed, copying is resumed based on data such as copy conditions and progress in the semiconductor memory.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the user who has been interrupted by the interrupt copy must wait near the image forming apparatus until the interrupt copy is completed. It was a waste of time.

If a jam occurs and there is no time to remove the jammed paper, it is possible to copy using another image forming apparatus. In this case, the copy before the occurrence of the jam is wasted. There was sometimes.

When a copy is made by another image forming apparatus as described above, a document image once scanned by the previous image forming apparatus is scanned again by another image forming apparatus. Waste increases.

According to the present invention, in response to an interruption due to an interruption copy, a jam or the like during the image forming operation, other operations can be performed without wasting the setting of the copy conditions and the copying operation halfway. An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus capable of performing copying by switching to another image forming apparatus.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention, interrupt or when the interruption of the image formation is requested by the jam, desorbing the image forming condition and the image forming progress stored in the serial <br/>憶means By storing the image forming conditions and the image forming progress stored in the removable storage medium in the storage means so that the image formation can be resumed, interrupts, jams, etc. The user interrupted by, for example, carries a removable storage medium,
Leaves the image forming device to perform another job, resumes the image forming operation at its own convenience when the image forming device is vacant, or continues the image being interrupted by another image forming device A forming operation can be performed.

Further, since it is not necessary to scan the document image once scanned again, an efficient copying operation can be obtained without wasting the copying operation halfway.
In addition, in particular, in response to a request to interrupt the image formation, the image forming condition and the image forming progress stored in the storage unit are changed to the image forming condition and the image forming condition.
External device having a storage medium capable of storing the formation progress status
When the image forming apparatus is interrupted and the image formation is restarted by another image forming apparatus, the image forming conditions may be set again, or the image forming of the image of the document image already formed may be performed repeatedly. It is possible to eliminate the need for image forming, thereby improving operability and eliminating unnecessary image formation.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 5 in this system includes:
A scanner 1 that reads an image on a document, a printer 2 that prints out the image on recording paper, and a document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as a DF) 6 that automatically feeds the document set on a platen to the scanner 1 are provided. Provided, usually D
The document set in F6 is read from the scanner 1 and the image data is output from the printer 2.

When filing the image data read from the scanner 1, the data is transferred to the magneto-optical disk drive 4 via the communication line 3. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can process the read image data by a digital signal, and can handle various types of image processing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration for controlling the filing operation in such an image forming apparatus.

The apparatus main body 5 has an RA that can be backed up.
A built-in CPU 12 for controlling the entire apparatus, an image processing unit 21 for performing various image processing on the image data, a scanner controller 16 for controlling the scanner 1, and an operation panel 10 for performing various inputs and displays; Is provided.

On the other hand, a filing unit 11 as shown is provided on the magneto-optical disk device 4 side.
In the filing unit 11, a CPU 15 for controlling the magneto-optical disk device 4, a magneto-optical disk is detachably set, a disk drive unit 20 for reading and writing data, and an operation of the disk drive unit 20 are controlled. Disk controller 19
And a memory 18 for developing image data.

The device main body 5 and the filing unit 11 are connected by a filing interface 13.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the contents of the scanner 1, the image processing unit 21 and the like in the apparatus main body 5.

The CCD sensor 101 reads an image on a document and converts it into an electrical signal (image signal) of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

The A / D converter 102 converts an analog signal output from the CCD sensor 101 into a digital signal.

The shading correction section 103 performs shading correction on the digital signal from the A / D converter 102. The color recognizing section 104 uses the output of the shading correction section 103 to output a marker attached to a document. And the like to recognize a predetermined color area. The coordinates of the area read by the color recognition unit 104 are stored in the RAM in the CPU 12.

When the color recognition section 104 recognizes the color area, the image data excluding the recognition area is input to the light color density conversion section 105. The light color density converter 105 converts the image data into density information. Where the concentration is
For example, the image data is converted into 16-level multi-valued image data. If the value is "0", it is determined to be the lightest, and if "15", it is determined to be the darkest.

Next, the multi-valued image data is stored in the selector 1
06. This selector 106 is connected to the scanner 1
And the image data read from the magneto-optical disk.

The editing unit 107 converts each pixel of the image data selected by the selector 106 into binary image data by comparing each pixel with a predetermined threshold value, or analyzes the spatial frequency of the image to convert the original into a character. It is possible to separate the data portion from the halftone or halftone dot portion, or separately extract only the marker designated area identified by the color recognition section 104.

The image data output from the editing unit 107 is output to the bitmap memory 108.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of the operation panel 10. As shown in FIG.

The operation panel 10 includes a file operation key 40 for instructing filing of image data, an LCD display section 41 for displaying various operation screens, etc., an enlargement / reduction key 43, and cursor / set keys 43 to 46. , A ten key 47, a reset key 48, a start key 49, an interrupt key 50, and the like. Further, the display section 41 normally displays an operation screen as an image forming apparatus.

Next, the operation of such an apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in FIG. 8, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, preparations such as temperature control of the heater are performed as initial settings, and standard values such as the set number of sheets and magnification are set in the memory in the CPU 12 (FIG. 8). S1). At this point, the system enters a standby state of waiting for an operation request, and shifts from this state to another state according to a key input or the presence or absence of a copy request file described later in the magneto-optical disk.

Next, the operation at the time of copying will be described.

In the standby state, when the interruption flag is on (S2), or when the interruption request flag is off and there is no copy request file in the magneto-optical disk (S3), the operation panel 10 Is normally displayed on the display unit 41 (S4).

Therefore, the original is set on the DF6, and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the number is set by the ten keys 47 (S
9, S10), and the magnification is set by the up arrow key 45 and the down arrow key 44 (S11 to S14).

When the start key 49 is pressed (S15), in FIG. 10, the CPU 12 determines that a copy operation is to be performed from the lapse of key input (S16), and then determines whether there is a document in the DF6. (S17), and if so, instructs the DF 6 to convey the original and sets the original at the reading position (S18). Subsequently, the scanner controller 16 receiving the instruction from the CPU 12 controls the scanner 1 to convert the original image. The image data is read as multi-value image data, and the multi-value image data is sent to the image processing unit 21.

The multi-valued image data is scaled by the image processing unit 21 to the magnification set in S11 to S14, output to the bitmap memory 108, and stored (S19).

Next, the stored document image is printed by the printer 2. Therefore, scanning is performed only once for one document regardless of the number of copies. Here, every time one print is performed (S23 to S2)
5) The remaining copy number displayed on the display section 41 is subtracted one by one, and the remaining copy number according to the copy operation is displayed (S26).

In this copying operation, the CPU 12
It is monitored whether the interrupt key is pressed (S27
1) If it is not pressed, when the number of remaining sheets becomes 0 (S28), it is determined again whether there is a document in the DF 6 (S17), and if so, the same operation as above is repeated for the next document. . If there is no document in DF6, the interrupting flag is turned off (if it is already off, it remains off)
The copy waiting screen is displayed again on the display unit 41 (S
4).

Next, the operation at the time of interruption will be described.

Here, the case where the interrupt key is pressed during the copying will be described. For example, it is assumed that five originals are placed on the DF 6, 99 sheets are set as the set number of copies, and the magnification is set to 50% and copying is performed.

In this case, for example, if the interrupt key 50 is pressed while the 30th copy of the second original is being made, the 30th copy is completed and the sheet is discharged. After subtracting the remaining number, it is determined whether the interrupt key has been pressed (S271).

If the interrupt key 50 has been pressed, it is further determined whether or not the interrupt flag is on (S272).
The PU 12 interrupts the printing there (S273).

If the interruption flag is on,
It is determined that an interrupt is already in progress and multiple interrupts are not accepted.

The remaining number is calculated as 99-30 = 69. Then, a message "Data is being recorded on the magneto-optical disk" is displayed on the display unit 41, and the number of documents already scanned, the magnification of 50%, the set number of 99, and the remaining number 69 are sent to the CPU 15 via the filing interface 13 and further. CPU 15 is a magneto-optical disk controller 1
9 and stored as a copy request file on the magneto-optical disk mounted on the magneto-optical disk drive unit 20.

The image data stored in the bitmap memory 108 is also transferred to the magneto-optical disk mounted on the magneto-optical disk drive unit 20 through the memory 18 and the magneto-optical disk controller 19 by the CPU 12 and the CPU 15 via the interface 13. (S273). Then, the interruption flag is turned on (S274), and the screen changes to a copy waiting screen (S4).

Therefore, the user (whether or not the same user) can make another copy. However, since the interrupt flag is ON, a copy request file in the magneto-optical disk is not accepted. Here, the user may or may not remove the magneto-optical disk from the magneto-optical disk drive unit.

When the copying by this interruption is completed (S17), the interruption flag is turned off (S2).
2).

Next, the operation for restarting the copy interrupted by the interrupt will be described.

First, when the image forming apparatus 5 is on standby (the interrupt flag is off), the magneto-optical disk storing the data of the copy interrupted by the interrupt is set in the magneto-optical disk drive 20 or is already set. In the set state, the CPU 12 detects a file stored on the magneto-optical disk at the time of the interruption as a copy request file (S2, S3). As described above, the copy request file includes the number of documents already scanned, the set number, the remaining number, the magnification, and image data.

Then, the CPU 12 that has detected the copy request file displays on the screen a message "Continue copying, set the original page up, and press the start key" in FIG. 11 (FIG. 11). S49).
When the start key 49 is pressed (S50), the number of already scanned originals, the set number, the remaining number, and the magnification in the magneto-optical disk are read into the RAM of the CPU 12, and the image data is read into the bit map memory 108. Then, the data in the magneto-optical disk is deleted (S51).

Until the number of scanned originals read from the magneto-optical disk matches the number of originals sent (S52), the originals are continuously fed (S53), and when they match (S52), printing is resumed (S52). S28
~).

If the magneto-optical disk storing the copy request file is not removed at the time of the interruption, the copy request file is detected when the interruption copy is completed and the interruption flag is turned off.

Next, the filing operation will be described.

When filing image data,
On the operation panel 10 on which the copy standby screen is displayed, the file operation key 40 is pressed (S5), and the display unit 4 is pressed.
First, a menu selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is called (S6).

If image input is selected here (S7), the screen shifts to the number input screen shown in FIG. 6 in FIG. 12 (S7).
31), input the number of the image data. Here, the image number is input using the ten keys 47 (S32, S33),
When the "#" key 43 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 7 (S34),
The image input is performed by sequentially transporting and scanning the document placed on the DF 6 to the image reading position (S35).

Next, the operation at the time of printing will be described.

When outputting image data on the magneto-optical disk inserted into the magneto-optical disk device 4, the above-described FIG.
When the image output is selected on the menu selection screen (S6) (S8), as shown in FIG. 13, in this case also, the screen shifts to the number input screen shown in FIG. I do. Here, the image number is input using the ten keys 47 (S37, S38), and the "#" key 43 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 7 to select the desired image data (S39). A magnification setting screen is displayed (S40).

Therefore, in FIG.
Is set (S9, S10), the magnification is further set (S11-S14), and when the start key 49 is pressed (S15), the CPU 12 causes the CPU 12 to print out the file from the progress of the key input. It is determined that the operation is an operation (S16), and the instruction is transmitted to the CPU 15.

The CPU 15 determines whether there is any remaining original page in the image data of the designated file stored in the magneto-optical disk (S20). The data is transmitted to the processing unit 21 and the bitmap memory 1
08 (S21), and transfers the stored image to the printer 2 for output (S23 to S25). And 1
Each time a sheet is printed, the remaining number of prints displayed on the display unit 41 is decremented by one (S26). When the number of remaining prints becomes zero (S27), it is determined whether or not there are any remaining original pages. If there is, repeat the same operation as above.
When there is no remaining original page, the interrupting flag is turned off (if it is already off, the flag is kept off), and a copy waiting screen is displayed again on the display unit 41 (S4).

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are flow charts showing the operation of the second embodiment. Here, only the drawings having portions different from those of the first embodiment are shown. 14 is FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, FIG. 15 is FIG. 10 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 16 is FIG. 11 of the first embodiment.
Are partially modified, and the other operations are the same as those in FIGS. 9, 12, and 13 in the first embodiment, and thus will be described with reference to the common drawings. Regarding the step numbers in each drawing, the common operations will be described with the same numbers.

First, the operation in the standby state in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Next, the operation at the time of copying will be described.

In the standby state, if there is no copy request file in the magneto-optical disk (S3),
The copy waiting screen shown in FIG. 4 is normally displayed on the display unit 41 of the operation panel 10 (S4).

Then, the manuscript is set on DF6, and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the number is set by the ten keys 47 (S
9, S10), and the magnification is set by the up arrow key 45 and the down arrow key 44 (S11 to S14).

When the start key 49 is pressed (S15), in FIG. 15, the CPU 12 determines that a copy operation has been performed since the key input has elapsed (S16), and then determines whether there is a document in the DF6. (S17), and if so, instructs the DF 6 to convey the original and sets the original at the reading position (S18). Subsequently, the scanner controller 16 receiving the instruction from the CPU 12 controls the scanner 1 to convert the original image. The image data is read as multi-value image data, and the multi-value image data is sent to the image processing unit 21.

The multi-level image data is scaled by the image processing unit 21 to the magnification set in S11 to S14, output to the bitmap memory 108, and stored (S19).

Next, the stored document image is printed by the printer 2. Therefore, scanning is performed only once for one document regardless of the number of copies. Here, every time one print is performed (S23 to S2)
5) The remaining copy number displayed on the display section 41 is subtracted one by one, and the remaining copy number according to the copy operation is displayed (S26).

When the remaining number of sheets becomes zero (S28), it is determined again whether or not there is a document in the DF 6 (S17). If there is, the same operation is repeated for the next document. If there is no document in DF6, a copy waiting screen is displayed again on display unit 41 (S4).

Next, a description will be given of an operation when a jam occurs on the recording paper during the printing as described above.

In this embodiment, if the sheet is not ejected within 5 seconds after the start of the printing operation of one sheet during printing (S23), it is determined that a jam has occurred (S24). S25, S291). Then, the display unit 41 displays "Jam! Remove paper while data is being backed up" (S292), and the set number, remaining number, magnification, and image data are stored in the magneto-optical disk as a copy request file. Further, if there is an unprocessed document in the DF 6, the operation of setting the document at the reading position, scanning the document, and storing the document on the magneto-optical disk is repeated (S294).
To S296). That is, the scanner 1 operates even during the time when the jammed paper in the printer 2 is removed.

If there is no unprocessed document in DF6,
The work ends (S297). After this operation is completed, the user of the image forming apparatus 5 may or may not remove the magneto-optical disk from the magneto-optical disk drive unit 20.

Next, the operation for resuming the copy interrupted by the jam will be described.

In the standby image forming apparatus 5, the magneto-optical disk storing the data for copying interrupted due to the above-mentioned jam is set in the magneto-optical disk drive, or the CPU 12 is set in the state where it is already set.
Detects the file stored on the magneto-optical disk at the time of the jam as a copy request file (S3). The copy request file includes the set number of originals, the remaining number, the magnification, and the image data, as described above.

Then, in FIG. 16, a message "Continue printing, press the start key" is displayed on the screen (S49). Then, when the start key 49 is pressed (S50), the set number, the remaining number, and the magnification in the magneto-optical disk are read into the RAM of the CPU 12, the image data is read into the bit map memory 108, and furthermore, Delete the data (S5
1). Then, copying is restarted (S28-).

If the magneto-optical disk storing the copy request file has not been removed after the jam, the copy request file is detected when the jam processing is completed and the power is turned on / off once.

[0074] Further, the operation during filing operation and printing will be omitted because it is same as the first embodiment.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When an interruption, a jam, or the like occurs, the image forming conditions and the image forming progress during the image forming are stored in a removable storage medium so that the image forming can be restarted with this apparatus, or With another apparatus capable of restarting copying, it is possible to resume image formation by incorporating the image forming conditions and the image forming progress stored in the removable storage medium into the apparatus.

Accordingly, the user who is interrupted by an interruption or the like carries a removable storage medium, for example, performs another job after leaving the image forming apparatus, and waits for the image forming apparatus to be vacant and performs his or her own convenience. It is possible to restart the image forming operation at a good time, or to perform a continuous image forming operation interrupted by another image forming apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to scan the original image once scanned again, an efficient copy operation can be obtained without wasting the copy operation halfway. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in response to a request to suspend image formation, the image forming conditions and the image forming progress stored in the storage unit are changed.
Storage medium capable of storing image forming conditions and image forming progress
Since the image is output to an external device having a body, when the image forming apparatus is interrupted and the image formation is restarted by another image forming apparatus, the image forming conditions may be set again, or the image forming of the image of the original image on which the image is formed may be performed. It is possible to eliminate duplication, thereby improving operability and eliminating unnecessary image formation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration for controlling a filing operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing contents of a scanner, an image processing unit, and the like in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a screen display for operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a screen display for operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a screen display for operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Scanner, 2 ... Printer, 3 ... Communication line, 4 ... Magneto-optical disk drive, 5 ... Device main body, 6 ... DF, 10 ... Operation panel, 11 ... Filing unit, 13 ... Filing interface, 12, 15 ... CPU, 16 scanner controller, 18, 108, 110 memory, 19 disk controller, 20 disk drive unit, 21 image processing unit, 40 file operation keys, 41 display unit, 43 enlargement / reduction keys, 43-46 ... Cursor / set keys, 47 numeric keys, 48 reset keys, 49 start keys, 101 CCD sensors, 102 A / D converters, 103 shading correction units, 104 color recognition units, 105 light color density conversion units , 106: selector, 107: editing unit, 108: video Sort map memory.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-308659 (JP, A) JP-A-63-116549 (JP, A) JP-A-4-369166 (JP, A) JP-A-4- 191065 (JP, A) Fully open 63-90358 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/21 B41J 5/00 -5/52 B41J 21/00-21/18 G03G 21/00 370-540 G03G 15/36

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] An output unit configured to form and output an image of a document; a storage unit configured to store an image forming condition and an image forming progress set at the time of image forming; and an image requesting an interruption of the image forming operation. Control means for storing the image forming conditions and the image forming progress status stored in the storage means in the removable storage medium when the image forming interrupt request means requests a stop; An image forming apparatus comprising: Reading means for reading a document image; storage means for storing document image data read from the reading means; image forming conditions and image forming progress set at the time of image formation; An output unit for forming and outputting an image of the stored storage image data; an image formation interruption request unit for requesting interruption of the image forming operation; and an interruption unit for requesting interruption of the image formation operation. Control means for storing the original image data in a removable storage medium together with the stored image forming conditions and the image forming progress status. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming operation is permitted to be restarted, and said image forming operation is permitted to be restarted by said image forming restart permitting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to store the image forming conditions and the image forming progress in the storage unit. 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image formation interruption requesting means is an abnormality detection signal generating means. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image formation interruption requesting means is an interruption requesting means. 6. An image forming means for forming an image of a document on a sheet; a storage means for storing set image forming conditions and an image forming progress state; and requesting interruption of an image forming operation of the image forming means. interruption request means and; in response to interruption by the interruption request means is requested, via the image forming condition and the image forming progress and the communication lines stored in the storage means, said image and said image forming condition
Output means for outputting an image formation progress status to an external device having a storage medium capable of storing the image formation progress status . 7. The medium according to claim 6, wherein the storage medium can further store a document image.
, And the said output means in response to the interruption has been requested by the interruption request means, an image forming apparatus and outputs the original image to the external device.